1 Timothy 3:1-7 ESV

1 Timothy 3:1-7ESVIf anyone aspires to the office of overseer, he desires a noble task. Therefore, an overseer must be above reproach, the husband of one wife, sober-minded, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, not a drunkard, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. He must manage his own household well, with all dignity keeping his children submissive, for if someone does not know how to manage his own household, how will he care for God’s church? He must not be a recent convert, or he may become puffed up with conceit and fall into the condemnation of the devil. Moreover, he must be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil.

Titus 1:5-9ESVThis is why I left you in Crete, so that you might put what remained into order, and appoint elders in every town as I directed you. If anyone is above reproach, the husband of one wife, and his children are believers and not open to the charge of debauchery or insubordination. For an overseer, as God’s steward, must be above reproach. He must not be arrogant or quick tempered or a drunkard or violent or greedy for gain, but hospitable, a lover of good, self-controlled, upright, holy, and disciplined. He must hold firm to the trustworthy word as taught, so that he may be able to give instructions in sound doctrine and also to rebuke those who contradict it.

The Qualifications of an Elder

1 Timothy 3:1-7 and Titus 1-5-9

The Role of an Elder1- Know their congregation

2- Put the congregations need above their own

3- Protect the congregation from false teaching

4- Search and bring back lost members

3 Types of QualificationsCharacter

Family Life

Service

Character QualificationsAbove reproach Sober mindedNot arrogant HolyUpright Self-controlledRespectable Not a drunkardNot violent GentleNot quarrelsome Not a lover of

moneyNot a recent convertThought of highly by those on the outside

Character Qualifications“If we live in the Spirit, let us also walk in the

Spirit”- Galatians 5:25

Elders should be Spiritually Mature in these areas

Elders should have Graduated in these areas

Not a Drunkard“Not a drunkard” or “not given to wine”

“No longer drink only water, but use a little wine for your stomach’s sake and your frequent infirmities.” – 1 Timothy 5:23

Greek = “not beside, by, or at wine”For Christians, only drunkenness is a sinFor leaders, it appears a higher standard of

complete abstinence is expected.

Character QualificationsAbove reproach Sober mindedNot arrogant HolyUpright Self-controlledRespectable Not a drunkardNot violent GentleNot quarrelsome Not a lover of

moneyNot a recent convertThought of highly by those on the outside

Family Life QualificationsHusband of 1 wife

Manages his own household well

Children are believers

Children are submissive

Husband of 1 WifeLiterally means, “a one woman man”

This eliminates woman from serving as elders

Phrase is used in the greek to describe sexual faithfulness and commitment in marriage.

Notice no other mention sexual purity in the list

Husband of 1 WifeCan a man who was divorced before he

was baptized and has since remarried be considered for an elder?

If we truly believe, LIKE WE SHOULD, that baptism puts to death the old man and brings for new life then why shouldn’t he?

Husband of 1 WifeWhat if the elder’s spouse dies? Does he

have to step down because he is no longer the husband of 1 wife?

This seems to be making the text say something that it doesn’t.

Was the man faithful while the wife was alive?

If yes, this should not disqualify him.

Children Who BelieveThe word means “offspring”Believe = Christian

An elder must have at least 1 childThat child must be a believer

Children Who BelieveHow long does that child have to be a

believer? Only while the child lives at home?

It is easy to drag your children to church

Shepherding your children from afar is the test

The members of the congregation do not live at your house

Your home is your first ministry

Service QualificationsWillingness

Hospitable

Able to teach

Hospitable“A lover of strangers”

With not many hotels or restaurants, travelers had to rely on kind hearted people

The heart of the elder must be generous as defined by cultural standards

Able to TeachLiterally means “skilled in teaching”

The man knows the gospel and can defend itIf the man cannot explain the gospel or

defend the gospel it will be hard to stop false teaching

Elders need to have a visible presence in the congregation as teachers. They will have a lot of wisdom and must share it.

Wrong Reason to Become an Elder

1. The church needed at least 2 men so I decided to be number 2

2. Being an elder runs in the family

3. I wanted to change some things I didn’t like

4. Some people wrote my name down. I never thought about it until then, but since people voted for me okay.

5. Somebody has to do it.

Wrong Reason to Select an Elder

1. He’s old and has been here a long time

2. Everyone likes him

3. They’re my good friend

4. He asked me to vote for him

5. I had to write someone’s name down

Please Pray for this process